| From a powerful national anthem to church | | | | illness, especially melancholia (depression). |
| hymns and classical masterpieces, music has | | | | Using music and sound for healing is not yet a |
| always been able to evoke emotion, affect your | | | | mainstream practice, however many groups have |
| mood, and influence the brain and body. Scientific | | | | already begun to implement music therapy to |
| studies throughout the years have proven how | | | | their advantage. For example, some schools have |
| beneficial music can be both emotionally and | | | | initiated programs including music to benefit their |
| physically. However certain types of music are | | | | student's learning abilities. They have begun to hire |
| better suited for healing than others. For example, | | | | therapists or other specialists who use music to |
| you may find that while you truly enjoy rock | | | | strengthen nonmusical areas such as |
| music, this music may not be the most ideal | | | | communication, physical coordination, teamwork, |
| music for your own emotional or physical needs. | | | | or even math. |
| Generally speaking, you want to search for music | | | | If this article still hasn't convinced you of the value |
| which is soft, soothing, and geared toward | | | | of music for healing, consider the case of Dr. |
| relaxation or meditation. Many classical music | | | | Michael J. Crawford and his colleagues, who in |
| recordings have these qualities as do New Age | | | | November 2006, again found that music therapy |
| compositions. You can even acquire music which is | | | | helped the outcomes of Schizophrenic patients. |
| specially geared toward meditation, yoga, and | | | | His study showed conclusive evidence of the |
| other wellness programs. I highly recommend the | | | | value of music in healing therapies. His November |
| music of Daniel Kobialka for all of your wellness | | | | 2006 study included a total of 115 patients. Of |
| and meditation needs. Mr. Kobialka's focus is the | | | | these 115 patients, 81 of these were were |
| rejuvenative power of music. He has led didactic | | | | subjected to various music therapies. Multiple |
| and interactive workshops and seminars, traveled | | | | methods of analysis demonstrated a trend |
| the world bringing his violin virtuosity to hospitals | | | | towards improved symptom scores among those |
| from Beijing, China to Plainville Ohio, and recorded | | | | which were subjected to healing music therapy, |
| music for meditation and guidance with alternative | | | | especially in the area of reducing symptoms of |
| healing pioneers including Joan Boreysenko and | | | | schizophrenia. They further concluded that the |
| Bernie Siegel. "If you are seeking healing, | | | | effects as well as cost-effectiveness of music |
| inspiration or spiritual fulfillment, you will discover in | | | | therapy for acute psychosis should be further |
| Kobialka the transformative power of music," | | | | investigated in further trials. |
| Larry Dossey, M.D. | | | | As you can see, there is a strong case for the |
| Music has always been loved and embraced by | | | | value of music in everyday wellness as well as for |
| the public, from catchy jingles that influence their | | | | your health and even to assist in the care of |
| purchases to cherished childhood songs that bring | | | | specific ailments. You can use music as a wellness |
| back a nostalgia for friendlier times. As such, it is | | | | method in your own home in a variety of ways, |
| no surprise that science, as well as medicine, have | | | | such as setting aside 15 minutes when you wake |
| turned their attention to the therapeutic powers | | | | up in the morning and before bed at night to listen |
| of music. | | | | to relaxing music and calm your mind. You may |
| "Music, the undefined sounds of universal | | | | also wish to listen to healing music on an mp3 |
| language," says Daniel Kobialka, "has the | | | | player or CD player while you work during the |
| remarkable ability of speaking to each of us in a | | | | day, if it is possible in your workplace to do so, or |
| very personal and profound manner." | | | | if you work from home. You can also play |
| The many uses of music in therapeutic situations | | | | soothing, healing music for your pets or to even |
| vary largely and may include, but are not limited | | | | calm down and relax a baby! |
| to, motor skills, social/interpersonal development, | | | | Music can be used in such a large variety of ways |
| cognitive development, self-awareness, and | | | | for healing both our bodies and minds that you |
| spiritual enhancement. | | | | simply can't go wrong by listening to this type of |
| The idea of music as a tool for healing dates back | | | | music! Even if your normal playlist includes rock, |
| to the beginnings of history, and some of the | | | | country, or even rap, you too can appreciate the |
| earliest notable mentions in Western history are | | | | benefits given by listening to relaxation music. |
| found in the writings of ancient Greek | | | | There are such a large variety of styles, |
| philosophers. | | | | instruments, and cultural influences available in |
| Robert Burton wrote in the 16th century in his | | | | healing music that you can usually find something |
| classic work, The Anatomy of Melancholy, that | | | | to suit everyone. So give music healing a try and |
| music and dance were critical in treating mental | | | | start feeling the benefits today! |